Regenerative steam and water mixing device



Aug-'20, 1940. H. H. DECKER 2,212,288

REGENERATIVE STEAM AND WATER MIXING DEVICE Filed Oct. l5, 1938 HARRY H. DECKER @3f M/@m Mym.

Patented Aug. 20, 1940 raTENT ori-ics REGENERATIVE STEAM AND WATER MIXING DEVICE Harry H. Decker, Chicago, Ill., assigner to The Lathrop-Paulson Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application October l5, 1938, Serial No. 235,288

3 Claims.

This invention relates to a regenerative type of steam and water mixing device.

It `is parapparatus without picking up water.

It has been further been foundthat an excessive quantity of steam is employed.

An object of the present invention is to provide mechanism whereby the tendency of the gun to break is overcome and in which a smaller amount of steam is employed' for the same work. A further object is to provide a gun or mixing device in which very accurate control of the operation is made possible.

A still further object is to provide means whereby a portion of the heated water leaving the mixing chamber is utilized for heating the incoming cold water so that there is supplied to the steam inlet a body of warm water which greatly facili tates the mixing of the steam and water.

Other specific objects and advantages will appear as the specification proceeds.

The invention is illustrated in a preferred embodiment by the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure 1 is a side View in elevation of apparatus embodying my invention; and Fig. 2, a similar view, the main parts of the apparatus being shown in longitudinal section.

In the illustration given, A designates a mixing apparatus; B, a by-pass or recycling device; and C, a spray nozzle.

The apparatus A, in the illustration given, includes a steam inlet elbow I0 to which is threadedly secured a steam nozzle I I.

The steam nozzle threadedly engages a fitting I2 with which is integrally formed a water inlet bulb or cylinder The member I 3 is interiorly threaded on its munication between the two through ports I'I.

is established A nut i8 seals the lower end of the fittings I2 and I5.

Surrounding the upper portion of the mixing tube I4 is a water intake i9, the upper end of which is sealed by nut 20.

The members I9 and I6 are threadedly connected by a hollow nipple Thus there is provided a continuous water chamber leading from the intake I9 downwardly through the nipple 2 I, water inlet tting I6, through ports Il, into the interior of the cylinder I3.

The upper end of the mixing pipe I4 threadedly engages the two-way fitting 22. From the tting 22 the liquid may pass through the return pipe B back to water inlet fitting I6, or it may pass in the other direction through pipe 23 to the nozzle C. ,In

The recycling device B includesa ynipple 24j.

a bend 25, a return pipe 26, an adjustn'lent flttlng 2l, a nipple 2B, and a reducer tting 29. In the fitting 2l is threadedly secured a Valve head 30 which engages the opening provided by the nipple 'i :G 28 and serves to enlarge or diminish the opening. The ntting 21 is sealed on the outer side by the member 3 I. The outer end of the valve member 3l! is provided with an hexagonal head 32.

The spray nozzle C' may be of any suitable type. 20 The one illustrated is employed for directing a, stream of hot water into the open mouth of a can to provide a sterile rinse therefor. The dimensions of the nozzle are such' that not all of the water heated in pipe I4 can be discharged 25 therefrom and a portion thereof is thus caused to be recycled through the conduit B.

Operation In the operation of the apparatus, steam enters 30 the elbow IIB and enters through nozzle II into the cylinder I3 from whence it passes into the mixing chamber I4. Cold water enters through the intake tting I9 and passes around the chamber I4 and in contact therewith downwardly 35 through' nipple 2| and into the water inlet tting I8. From the water inlet tting I6, the water passes through ports II into the member I3 where it meets the steam and is carriedl into the mixing chamber I4. The heated water leaving the mix- 40 ing chamber is divided into two streams, one leaving through pipe 23 to the spray nozzle C and the other returning through pipes` 24, 25, 26,

21 and 28 to the water inlet fitting I6. The returned heated water mixes with the cold water 45 in the tting I6 and provides a warm water body about the cylinder I3 and about the steam nozzle I I. It will also be noted that the incoming cold water through pipe I9 contacts the heated pipe I4 and is pre-warmed by this contact before it 50 reaches fitting IS. By this arrangement, the preheated water is found to mix readily with the steam `and to provide continuous operation in which the steam and water are effectively mixed. The operation is controlled to provide a nice 55 relation of the streams through the valve head 30, the hexagonal head 32 of Which may be readily manipulated.

With the type of gun heretofore in use, in order to maintain a proper flow of hot Water at 195 to 200, it was necessary to open the steam Valve fully and then get the desired temperature by cutting down the stream of Water. With the present regenerative type of gun or mixer, the operation is just the reverse. The amount of Water needed is controlled by the opening in the spray head and the valve 3B, and it is only necessary to open the steam valve controlling the elbow l a short distance, never more than one-half turn. Through the recirculation of the hot water, the steam consumption is considerably reduced While at the same time the tendency for the gun to break is substantially eliminated.

In the foregoing description, I have set forth specific details in order to illustrate the one method of operation of the invention. It will be understood, however, that such details may be modified greatly by those skilled in the art whileV still utilizing the spirit ci my invention.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, but the appended claims should be construed as broadly as permissible, in View of the prior art.

I claim:

l. A mixing device of the class described comprising a steam and Water mixing chamber, a steam nozzle communicating with one end oi said chamber, a Water inlet chamber communicating With said steam inlet, and a discharge conduit communicating with the discharge end of said steam and Water mixing chamber and leading in one direction to a nozzle and in the other direction to a return conduit, said return conduit communicating with the chamber about said steam nozzle.

2. A mixing device of the class described comprising a steam and Water mixing chamber, a steam nozzle communicating with one end of said chamber, a Water inlet chamber communicating with said steam inlet, a discharge conduit communicating with the discharge end of said steam and Water mixing chamber and leading in one direction to a nozzle and in the other direction to a return conduit, said return conduit communicating with the chamber about said steam nozzle, and valve means for controlling the iow through said return conduit.

3. In apparatus of .the class set forth, a steam and Water mixing chamber, inlet means for introducing steam into one end thereof, means for introducing Water adjacent the point of introduction of said steam, and a discharge conduit. communicating with said chamber and leading in one direction to an outlet and in the other direction to a return conduit, said return conduit communicating with said chamber.

HARRY H. DECKER. 

